South Wales Echo

I South Wales Notes. I I HAVE been asked by the Mayor of Swansea to say that, in pursuance with the request of the Lord Mayor of London, he has de- cided to receive contributions toward the Rowland Hill-Fawcett Benevolent Fund, and also in aid of the sufferers by the earthquakes in Spain. The agency of municipalities in the cause of charity is at the present time one of the most powerful of all philanthropic engines, and, commonly speaking, the generous public are quite willing to follow the lead of the mayor, especially when, as in the present cases, their closest sympathies are appealed to on the one hand and their national gratitude on the other. THE dispute between the Swansea Corpora- tion and the gas company is approaching something like a truce, and peacev after a manner, will be probably patched up. The gas company have held out so long, and, I must say, so stubbornly, that people began to be afraid they were never going to give in. r, e in. However, as I had anticipated, a proposal was made at yesterday's meeting of the Council which showed that the company at length had determined to make some conces- sions, and, in fact, upon the lines I fore- shadowed. It is, indeed, a good thing that the cloud between the two bodies is likely to be to some extent dispersed, since the shadow which it cast over the town produced an unpleasantly perceptible darkness. The ratepayers, I fancy, are not likely to be satisfied until the works are acquired by the municipal authorities, or means adopted to put some life into the proceed- ings of the company and get some light out of them. THE Bristol Chamber of Commerce have just presented a memorial to the Bristol Town Council, which has given rise to some little discussion, and is worthy of the attention of the curious. The chamber desire that the council shall provide facilities at the Bristol, Avonmouth, and Portishead Docks for shipping coal, so as to get over the difficulty of vessels which have discharged a cargo at one of the three docks having to go elsewhere for an export cargo, at a sacrifice of trouble, time, and money. The memorialists seemed to think that, given the facilities, everything else would be the easiest possible affair for they argued that the quality of the Bristol district coals for ocean steam purposes was at least equal to that of South Wales. Such an argument may sound well in the Bristol Town-hall and look well on paper, but wisdom would recommend that some clearer calculations should be made before ^vast expenditure be incurred, the results of which may be good, or may be very much the reverse. It is necessary that such memorials should be practical before they are anything else and the criticism yesterday by one of the council, a member of the docks com- mittee, was pregnant with suggestion. The deputation from the Chamber of Commerce had been to the committee about providing coal tips, and he said that i if their facts as to the coal of the Bristol district were no better that their statements as to the cost of the facilities for shipping coal, the council should pause before "they accepted them." This gentleman put his finger directly upon the blot of an ill- considered and optimist scheme. South Wales has nothing to fear from such a pro- posal, and hence can offer impartial and, indeed, skilled advice to Bristol in the matter—not to put too high a value upon Bristol coal, nor too low an estimate upon the cost of getting it. THERE is an outcry at Merthyr against the further use of the Salvation Army Theatre for the disposal by the registrar of unde- fended county court cases, and I understand that at the next meeting of the Chamber of Trade, Mr E. P. Biddle proposes to move that application be made to the Treasury to provide some more suitable building in which the business may be carried on. Besides being considerably larger than the necessities of the case require, the theatre is extremely draughty, and it is in a most dis- reputable condition of repair. So strong is the feeling entertained on the subject that it is not unlikely a public meeting will be called to agitate for a change. The judge sits in the magistrates' court at the police- station, and apart from the almost intolerable discomfort imposed upon the registrar and the suitors through being compelled to occupy such miserable quarters, it is mani- festly a most inconvenient arrangement that Mr Lewis should be obliged to adjudicate in one building whilst his Honour is adjudi- cating in another. There appears to be a desire that the county-court should be held as formerly at the Temperance-hall. In that case, both the judge and the registrar would be accommodated under one roof, and the convenience to the suitors would be greatly enhanced. At all events, it is quite clear that the existing arrangement will not be suffered to continue much longer without some indignant protest.

WE have to record to-day the loss of no less than six lives by ice accidents, and they come as a reminder to us of the dangers attendant upon the exhilarating exercise of skating or sliding. The warn- ing will operate for a time, but it will presently be forgotten, as many such have been before, and the same thoughtlessness will again cause the loss of other lives. How is it that it does not seem necessary to calculate more carefully the strength of ice formed upon the surface of a lake or pond, the water of which is known to be deep enough to drown, before it is ventured upon by skaters ? They do not hold their lives so cheap as not to care whether the ice is thick enough to support their weight or must break beneath them. They do not wish to die so soon, and to plunge their families into so much distress. But they love disporting themselves upon the ice; and as soon as it is seen upon the ponds, young people fond of the exercise, begin to grow eager for the signal to go out and have their first turn upon the ice. If it is found by experiment that at the shallow edges of a piece of water the ice does not crack or bend under the weight of a human body, the wish is parent to the conviction that the ice will bear all over the deeper parts too. It may do so whilst the number of skaters is few, but gradually they increase, and the later comers are encouraged by the apparent immunity of those who first ventured on the ice. Then the crash comes, and it ia rendered all the more dangerous because ot the num- bers involved in the accident. Such fatalities as thoso we record to-day set the public asking—Cannot the authorities do something to prevent these sad calamities of the skating season ? The change in the weather in this neighbourhood has for the present destroyed the hopes of skaters but should severe weather yet ensue, and the big pond on the Penarth- road, Cardiff, be utilised this season, skating without any possible danger may be enjoyed by Cardiffians.

THOSE Welsh people who refuse to believe in the decadence of the Welsh language will vehemently denounce the opinions of Mr H. J. EVANS, as given last night at the meeting held at Cardiff for the purpose of forming a Cambrian Society for South Wales. Mr EVANS said there was at this moment going on such a rapid change from the use of the Welsh to the employment of the English language, that within the next decade in all probability there would be comparatively v6ry few people in South Wales able to talk Welsh. Within the next 20 years the Welsh language would almost have disap- peared, and there would be but one general commercial language throughout South Wales. It is quite possible that in 20 years from the present time English will be the commercial language of South Wales, but as to the probability of the Welsh language having almost disappeared in that time we very much question that opinion. Even in Cardiff there are large and flourishing Welsh churches, whilst in the Welsh speaking districts there are hundreds of children who speak nothing but Welsh at home, though taught in English at school. In some parts of South Wales even there are still to be found grown up men and women whose knowledge of Ssesoneg is confined to a very few words. These facts do not seem to indicate that Mr H. J. EVANs' prophecy is likely to be fulfilled. But as his remarks are likely to call forth the protests of many of his fellow countrymen, we will wait and see what they have to say upon the subject.

THE HIGHER-GRADE SCHOOL, CARDIFF. Appointment of Assistant Masters. A special meeting of the Cardiff School Board was held on Wednesday for the purpose of ap- pointing assistant-masters at the Higher Grade School, which is to be opened on Monday next. Mr Lewis Williams presided, and there were also present-the Revs. Vincent Saulez, G. A. Jones, Dr Edwards, Dr Wallace, Messrs J. Gunn, and T. Rees. The masters appointed were Mr Thomas Holmes Bramwell, of Bishop Auckland, at a salary of B100 a year and Mr Thomas Davies, of West Hartlepool, at a salary of JE90 per annum.

THE H0ME~SECRETARY AND SHOT-FIRING IN MINES. A Test Case in the Rhondda. I A Pontypridd police-court, on Wednesday- before Mr J. Ignatim Williams and Mr Craw- shay—Mr Thomas Williams, coroner, said he had been directed by the Home Secretary to make an application for a summons against Mr John Thomas, manager of the Ynyshir Colliery, for the alleged infraction of the 8th general rule, which relates to the duties of persons employed at the colliery in connection with the firing of shots underground. The summons was granted, and made returnable on the 28th inst. Mr Simons, Merthyr, will appear on behalf of the Coal-owners' Association.

MISS JENNER IN COURT. I In the matter of Jenner's estate, Collier v. Jen- i\^r'j^enner v" Cod den, Miss Jenner applied on Wednesday morning to Mr Justice Chitty, at London. She said she was conducting her own case, and she was anxious to ask his lordship why the hearing of the case,which was set down on the 7th January, and should have been in the paper on Wednesday, had lost its place. She did not know how it had lost its place. She asked that it might be allowed to be in the paper to-morrow (Thursday).—Mr Romer, Q.C., who appeared on the other side, said he was quite willing that it should take its place.— Mr Justice Chitty said it should be restored. It ought not to have been struck out without appli- cation to him. It would not come on that day because Miss Jenner had an adversary who might not be ready. To-morrow it would take its place.—Miss Jenner thanked his lordship and withdrew.

A CARDIFF-LADENVES8EL DISABLED. The barque Star of Scotia, of Belfast, 999 tons, bound from Cardiff to Colombo, laden with coals, put into Falmouth on Tuesday, in a damaged condition. She had encountered severe weather, losing cabin skylight, binnacle, and compass, and had her cabin flooded. An apprentice belonging to Plymouth was washed overboard and drowned during the heavy galena Saturday last.

"TRUTH" SAY8;- I Sir Stafford Northcote, who is staying at The Pynes, is going into North Devon next week, and will address meetings of the electors of the new Barnstaple district at Bideford, Ilfracombe, and Barnstaple. It is probable that Sir Stafford will be returned unopposed for this constituency, as he is so universally popular among all classes that the Liberal leaders consider that it would be hopeless to attempt to defeat him, and Lord Lymington, Lord Ebrington, and Sir Thomas Acland have all declined to stand against him. It is generally understood in Devonshire that Sir Thomas Acland will be raised to the Peerage at the dissolutiou. Nice is in a very bad way. A correspondent writes The sun shines, the sea glistens, the air is warm and balmy, but, alas, there are none to enjoy all this At the Hotel des Anglais, while in previous seasons it was difficult to get a room, there were yesterday ten persons at the table d'hote, and only one lady. The other hotels are talking of shutting up. Is it the cholera which frightens people away, or is it that fashion has deserted Nice ?" The latter, I should say; and the reasons are high prices and the attempt to convert Nice into a huge town of white hcuses. Land has run up to famine prices, and on this land houses were built by speculators, and leased to others to let out in apartments. The lessees not only demanded extortionate rents, but declined to let for any term less than the entire season. In the hotels, too, the price of rooms was put up during the season. The public, which is net entirely composed of absolute fools, when their interests are concerned, have met all these black-mailing tactics by going elsewhere. According to Mr Flowers, the magistrate, drunkenness is not an offence so long as the per- son intoxicated gets into that condition through toasting a member of the Royal Family. Mary Ann Holmes is a lady who gave way to her feelings on the occasion of Prince Albert Victor's coming of age. It appears that "a gentleman," in Wych- street, Strand, asked her—whilst she was in that state known as disorderly "—what she would like to drink. To this she replied, The Prince's health, of course," and therefore the loyal Flowers exercised the prerogative of mercy, and said: Very well, under the circumstances, I will dis- charge you." Bishops have an odd knack of "putting their foot in it." Here is a fine story about the new Bishop of Southwell, late plain Dr. Ridding, of Winchester College, now a very new broom in- deed, it would seem. He has suddenly inhibited the Rev. Edwin Marriner from officiating in his diocese, stigmatising him ('tis bad, my lord, to call names they only do such things at school) as a pretended curate." On being asked for an explanation, the Bishop simply refused to give one. I abstain from further comment at present. Perhaps we shall some day hear the Bishop's version, as Mr Marriner, who courts the fullest inquiry, is not unnaturally about to prosecute his lordship for gross and defamatory libel. In any case, a bishop ought to keep his temper and avoid bad language. On the whole, the quarrel is a very pretty one as it stands, though we may not quite understand it. I J I observe that the Salvation Army has per- formed a miracle. A tram-car driver in Chester had been crippled for years; but having adopted the healing by faith process recommended by the Salvationists, he was at once cured, jumped joyfully about, and said his prayers in a loud and fervent manner. The only surprising thing about this incident is that it has not happened long ago. The Army has been in existence some years, and ought by this time to have had a whole regiment of "soldiers" whose various disorders had been miraculously healed by the Genel'al's- agèncy Possibly subscriptions are not flowing in so abundantly as Mr Booth could wish, and so he feels that the faith of his adherents wants a little stimulating. Mr Do, ut des indeed Austria, France, and Denmark, who have traded with Bismarck on this principle, have not exactly found their Des an equivalent for his Do. With respect to us, our good friend does not conceal his wishes. His mandate to us is, Get rid of Gladstone, and take Egypt." Were we to do the latter, he would count upon having established a bone of contention between us and France. The most credulous must surely distrust this German donaferens. During the reign of Napo- leon he was constantly urging him to seizs on Belgium, in order to break his alliance with us. History will say that Bismarck was an able statesman, but it will add that most of his success was due to the astounding credulity of those with whom he had to deal. I have always thought that the most astute thing which he has done, is establishing a reputation for brutal candour." He tells the truth or the reverse precisely as it suits him. Let us hope that before long Lord Wolseley will get to Khartoum, and bring away General Gordon, with his adherents. When it is suggested that we should establish ourselves in the Soudan, it is forgotten that when Mr Gladstone obtained the vote on account for the expedition, he ex- pressly pledged himself to rescue and retire. Those who advocate "grab" now, advocated it then. As for Egypt, I am sick and tired of pointing out that the Great Powers, with the exception of Bismarck,whose policy is to place us in a position of antagonism with France, object to our exercis- ing paramount authority in that country, pre- cisely as we should object to any one of them ex- ercising such authority there and -that we only went there on the distinct pledge that we would not seek to acquire such authority. Moreover, we should be losers by attempting to do so. We shall have to pay a "pretty penny" on our ineomes for having meddled at all. It is suggested that should recoup ourselves by grab," but grab is a very expensive amusement, particu- larly when the thing seized is worthless.

RHYMNEY LOCAL BOARD AND THE CEMETERY DISPUTE, Another Protest by the Noncon- formists. A. Un Tuesday atternoon .an adjourned meeting of the Rhymney Local Board was held at the cemetery with a view of allotting a portion of the ground for the Established Church for con- secration, a portion to the Roman Catholics, and a portion to the Nonconformists, pursuant to a resolution passed by the board at their ex- traordinary meeting last week. A deputation from the Nonconformists had been authorised to meet the board at the cemetery, but little busi- ness was transacted, and the board resolved to again adjourn until evening at eight o'clock. At eight o'clock only one member beingabsent, the deputa- tion again attended. The chief business was the consideration of the memorial of the Noncon- formists to the Local Government Board.—The Clerk read sentence by sentence, the board making observations as he was proceeding.—An animated discussion followed, particularly on the question of fees, MfWm. Griffiths and the Rev. G. Griffiths (one of the deputation) denouncing the injustice that would be inflicted upon Noncon- formist ministers should they officiate on the consecrated part, the fees being then pocketed by the appointed chaplain. Other points having also been discussed, the deputation was assured by the board that the whole question would be adjourned till a clear understanding came from the, head department.—The deputation, having thanked the board for their courtesy, then with- drew.

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CAMBRIAN SOCIETY FOR SOUTH WALE8. Meeting at Cardiff. Speeches by the Archdeacon of Liandaff, Principal Jones, &c. A meeting was held at theTown-hall, Cardiff, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of forming a Cambrian Society. The Archdeacon of Llandaff presided, and there were also present Principal Viriamu Jones, Professor Powel (editor of the Cvicm- rodor,") ProfessQr Roberts, the Revs. G. A. Jones, Daniel Young, J. P. Davies,— D.ivies (chaplain of the gaol), Messrs Henry Jones Evans, Peter Price, F. W. Hybart, Alfred Thomas, Ivor James, D. J. Davie*, Haddock (Newport), Jones (Maesycwmmer), D. T. Alex- ander, J. Westyr-Evans, George Thomas, W. H. Morris, Dr. Taylor, Balhnger, and Caradog, Ccchfarf, and Gorswjr. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said thatsincp he had come to Cardiff he had heard a little about the movement for the esta'olishraentof a Cambrian Society and he had also heard that there had been soma doubting as to the a 1 vis- ability and propriety of forming' such a society in South Wale-. Now, in opening the proceed- ing, he thought he could not do better—spaaking from the knowledge confined to what he h»„d I derived from the circular convening the meeting —than state in the first place what the society was not. It was not to be apolitical society that was to say, it was not supported by any political party. It was not going to be a denominational society—a very great thing in the principality. (A laugh.) They were going- to strike off as much as they possibly could any party I feelings that may have woven themselves into their composition, and become almost entirely part and parcel of themselves. Those feelings would not be allowed to find any place in the Cambrian Society. In the next place, it was lot gol-ig to be a society in opposi- tion to any other existing society. Some persons had supposed that feelings antagonistic to other similar institutions had had something to do with the promotion of the Cambrian Society. He had put the question to one or two of the promoters, and they had, without any hesitation whatever,toldhim that no such thought everentered I into their minds. He had also seen a communi- cation from a person occupying a position of very high influence in the principality, and he with some degree of warmth at once condemned the movement for a Cambrian Society, because he Delieved it was got iii) in antagonism to the Cymmrodonon Society in London. Really when he > (the chairman) heard this he could not help smiline it was an uncommonly long way from Cardiff to London, and it seemed to him that the Cymmroaorion could not for one moment entertain the idea that a small society, occupying only one portion of the principality, would imagine itself strong enough to shake the great Cymmrodorion Society of London. Then an objection had been taken to the title; it was said that "The Cambrian Society for South Wales and Monmouthshire" was an exclusive name, which would provoke a little of that feeling of rivalry reported to exist between North and South Wales. it so happened tha there was a society very closely resembiincr the one proposed already in existence in North Wales, whilst Liverpool iiad established a society exactly similar in its purposes. Another 'oil objection taken was that the society would be really a superfluity, that small societies such as this could not possibly do any good, and that it would be very much better for all the patriotic feeling of the principality to manifest itseif in London or some other great ceatral place. The establishment of a society for such purposes as the Cambrian Socciety was intended to promote was nothinar new in the principality. He did not know whether there were any persons present who could remember with himself the very successful society established at Abergravenny, known as the Cymreigvdciion, which did a very great work for Wales, and a very great deal for the eisteddfod of Wales, at a time when the national eisteddfod was in the opinion of a great number totally extinct. He also remembered Cambrian societies in Carmarthen, "in Abervstwith, and in many other towns whilst he learned from that smartly-written paper, the Geninen, that there was an institution of this sort in some part of North Wales, so that no injury was intended to be done to the northern part of the principality by the establishment of a society for South Wales and Monmouthshire. Having said these few words to meet some ob- jections put forward, directly and indirectly, openly and secretly, to this movement, he would just venture to mention one or two of the pur- poses tor which it was intended to establish the society. It was thought very desirable that there should be some centre, easily accessible, around which patriotic Welshman might gather; that there should be, in connection with such a society as that, a place where Welshmen might meet together for social purposes, to discuss matters connected with their country, to ascertain the best mode of advancing the literature, or the hue arts even, and to determine how interesting anti- quities connected with the country might be best brought to light. He believed that in the minds of the promoters there was the view that a room or, if possible, two rooms should be provided to supply the objects of r. library. It was thought that if such a centre as this were established, if a reliable committee or body of trustees were named, a great number of people in the princi- pality might think proper to send valuable works, so that they might be made use of by persons writing either the history of the country or upon any other subject connected with the principality. He was anxious to remove from the mind of any one present, the impression which might have been made that the society was in antagonism to any existing society. He never would have come 40 miles to attend the meeting if he thought that they were going to set up an opposition society, and thus repeat the history of their country—to the effect that Welshmen had never been able to agree on anything, but always spiit themselves up into small portions. (Laugh- ter) He said, let the Cymmrodorion give them some help; it was too far to go up to London for social purposes. Let the Cymmrodorion Society exist, but he' could not see why its existence should in any way interfere with the pstablishing of a. simple Cambrian Society. Unless, he went on, the present genera- tion did something to preserve Welsh literature, they stood a very good chance, he was perfectly sure, of losing a great deal of it. The children now growing up m the schools in Wales were, to all intents and purposes, English speaking chil dren, and h edid not think it would be possible, after tney Had arrived at the tima to enter upon liEe, to teach them sufficient Welsh to enable them to make use of the language either for edn. atiouai or religious purposes. They would very soon lose all interest in Welsh, and he thought that a. great responsibility devolved uNn the present generation to do all they possibly could to gather the valuable remnants of the past, and, if nothing more, to bring them together for antiquarian purposes. In conclusion, he read letters explaining absence, K ?x')re,-s'Tj>? approval of the movement which ^?een received from Mr EmJyn Evans, Judge Vviliiams, Mr William Williams, the Mayor of Swansea, the Rev. David Young, Mr D. Jenkins, Aberystwith, the Rev. J. W. Davis, Baptist minister, Haverfordwest, Mr James Ware, Mr William Jones, Mr Rees D. Morgan, Maesteg, &c. Principal JOXES, of the South Wales College, who was called upon to move the first resolution, said it seemed to him that the objects set forth in the circular convening the jjaeeting were most desirable, and he liked the circular most of all because there breathed through it a true national spiri t. There seemed to be a recognition of the fact that the Welsh people were a nation, and there was in it an encouragement to the Welsh people to recog- nise that fact, and to derive all the benefit that would and must follow such a recognition pro- perly made. What was it, he asked, that consti- tuted a nation ? What was it that bound isolate^ populations in towns and counties into a national unity? There was, in the first place,fthe unity of race with all the common cha actenstics which it implied; in the iiect)nci place, there was the binding together due to their possessing a common history, com- mon external surroundings next there was t,!e bond of a common language and a common litera- ture. Now, the Welsh people boasted all these characteristics, and he felt that grea t benefit c.s' would arise from every effort to recognise tile fact that the Welsh were a distinct people, having distinct duties to themselves as a nation. When Welshmen began to realise the fact Jthat they had a national unity, they did not proceed to political ferment and to "blowing people up," but they considered that they had a national language to which they owed a duty, a common literature with which they ought to be familiar, a common history which they ought to know; and one other thing this recogni- tion of a national unity had done-it had developed in late years a separate educa- tional system. Now tor these reasons he approved entirely of the tone of the circular, and ho felt that if its objects could be carried out great good would result. The' chairman had referred to the Cymmrodorion Society, and he would wish to join with the chairman in stating-because he :si)ecialiv asked the question—that no thought of competition with that society was part of the idea of the founders of the Cambrian Society, and it was certainly no part of his (Principal Jones's) idea in asking that that meeting should ba convened. lie found in looking up the history of the Cymmrodorion Society that at its resurrec- tion in 1820 there were se'€Tofrth"the very objects foi which it was now proposed to found the Cambrian Society. In conclusion, he movp-d "The meetirg is of opinion that the time has arrived for the formation cf a society in South Wales, having for its object the promotion of literature, music, and art, the, collection of books and manuscripts relating to Wales, and the dis- cussion and promotion of questions of a national character, that may prove of interest and U;1 to the inhabitants of the southern portion of the principality." The Rev. DAVID YOUNG, in seconding the resolution, spoke in favour of the people of Swan- sea and Merthyr joining in the movement, and said that he should like to have a Cambrian' society for the whole of Wales. He would be pleased to see a good history of Wales written; there were several histories, but as yet not one which they could consider a standard work. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. Mr J. H. THOMAS moved: "That a society in accordance with the previous resolution be formed forthwith, to be named the Cambrian Society for South Wales and Monmouthshire, and that its headquarters shall be at Cardiff." He said that, although the society was for South Wales and Monmouthshire, they formed a very important part of Wales; and any great move- ment snpportea in that part would undoubtedly have the greatest possible influence upon all Welshmen, in spite of that distioction which unbppily existed between North and South. It eomed to him that a society of this kind would find a very larga amount of work in collecting all sorts of manuscripts, either large or small, relating to the history of Wales. A great many treasures, too. were to be found in the form of sermons and lectures on divinity, and also the hymnology of Wales. The Welsh nation had, of course, a very great musical talent. There were a great many pieces of really good music in the hands of many persons throughout the country, which had never been published on account of the poverty of the authors, or other difficulties in the way of publication, whilst there was a vast number of odes—fugitive leavei-in the same custody, and these would become a very valuable collection, if they could be gathered to- gether and placed where all might see them. Mr HYBART seconded the resolution which was carried. Professor POWELL moved The subjects of theology, religion, and politics shall form no part of the province or deliberations of the society." Mr ALEXANDER, who seconded the resolution, referred to the possession by Mr R. O. Jones and v Mr Clark, of Dowlais, of a vast quantity of Welsh documentary evidence, if not of literature, and said he had no doubt these gentlemen would place their collections in the hands of a properly consti- tilted society, so that they might be generally examined. The resolution was put and carried. Mr HENRY JONES EVANS, who moved the next esoiution, said tha; tiisra was at this moment going on such a rapid change from the use of the Welsh to the employment of the English language, that within the next decade in all probability there would be comparatively very few people in South Wales able to talk Welsh. Within the next 20 years the Welsh language would almost have disappeared, and there would be but one general commercial language throughout South Wales. He moved— That the terms of membership shall consist of life subscribers oi £ 10 10s and upwards, and of annual subscribers of ;Cl ls, within a radius of 20 miles of Cardiff, and 10s 6d for those .residing beyond that limit." Mr PETER PRICE, in seconding the resolution, expressed a hope that this society would tend to improve the eisteddfod, which he said, whilst it had been the glory of the Welsh, had also been their shame, owing to its mismanage- ment. He did not take tha same view as was entertained by Mr Henry Jones Evans when he spoke of the decline of the Welsh language. In the district of Cincinnatti, America,tthsre were 20,000 Welsh people speak- ing their own language. He trusted that there would b3 held an annual eisteddfod at Cardiff. Mr ALEXANDER suggested that the life- membership subscription should be C5 5s instead of J'.J.LO 10s. After soma discussion the resolution was altered to read as follows, and was theydpted :—" The terms of membership shall consist of life sub- scribers of 25 5s and upwards, and of annual subscribers of 10s 6d. The Rev. G. A. JONES moved "That a com- mittee be formed to prepare rules and regulations of the society, who shall report to ajmeeting of the members to be held at Cardiff on St. David s Day." The resolution was seconded by Professor ROBERTS. In reply to Mr Davies (assistant inspector of schools), it was stated that the society would not in any way interfere with the National Eistedd- fod. The resolution was then adopted. Dr. TAYr.OK moved that Mr Tudor Evans, secretary pro. tem., be requested to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting on St. David's Day. Mr H. JONES seconded the proposition, which was carried. Mr ALFRED THOMAS moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding, and for the many and valuable services winch he had rendered to his countrymen and the land of his birth. Mr IVOR JAMES, in seconding the proposal, remarked that if the Cambrian Society could exert an influence upon the Cymmrododion Society and the Eisteddfod Association to do a little more than they had hitherto done, a great deal would be accomplished. The proposition having been put and carried, the chairman returned thanks, and the proceed- ings terminated.

THE ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD I AN INSURANCE SOCIETY. —— Forgeries in the Cardiff and Newport Districts. Arrest of Another Agent. I At the Bristol police-court, on Wednesday, a 1 serious charge of forgery against an insurance agent in Cardiff and Newport was heard. Thomas James Hunt, an insurance agent living in St. George's-road, Bristol, was charged that he did, on the 21-th of November, feloniously forge and utter a certain certificate and copy of an entry in the register book of deaths, in the district of Cardiff also that he did, on the 13th of May. feloniously forge and utter a certain cer- tificate and copy of an entry in the register book of deaths in the district of port. It will be remembered that on day last a charge of a similar character against an insurance agent nam0^ Williams, living at Norton Cottaf?a> J>Ia.naee) near Newport, with whom .th0 Pn.s°ner was m the habit of doing business. -M. R. Wansbrouo-h, who prosecuted on behalf of the Royal Liver 'Friendly the case to the magistrates, said ohat on Thurs- day last, a man "named I^ewis Williams was charged at that court with forging and uttering one or the certificates purporting to relate to a man named \Villi»m Charles^ ^ook, a labourer, residing at Adam-street, Cardiff, and tipon that charge he was remanded until Friday next. He should apply n(?w t ja^ .e P^soner might be re mauded until that date in order that he might be brought up with Villiams. The society, which was prosecuting, was, as they were doubtless aware, promo-ed for the purpose of enabling poor pcopie, by paying a small weekly .1 contribution, to insure their lives, so that at the time of their ceatn their relatives might receive certain sums of money to pay the expenses of their sickness and funeral. In he case of the charge of forgmg- t certificate in the Newport district, the deceased was described as Henry Walker, who was alleged to have died in the infirmary an Newport. The case was one of considerable magnitude, the societv having ascertained that a large number of people who had been insured had never existed at all the insurances having been affected through the prisoner, and the premiums having been paid by the man Williams, who was now on remand; and the money in some of the cases received by the prisoner from the Royal Liver Friendly Society on the strength of these "forged death certificates.—The prisoner said that he was prepared to give a complete denial to the charges. He was remanded until Friday, when he will be brought up and charged with Williams.

MEDICINES, ELASTIC STOC-INGS, CHEMICALS, DRUGS, &c., by parcel pose, under;llb, 3d, Kay BROS., Stockport. KAY'S COMPOUND, a demulcent anoydne, ex pecsoraut, for Coughs and Colds. Sold by all Chemists ti £ d, Is, Is I jd, 2s Vtl. 212 COAUULINE.— Cement for Broken Articles, bd, Is, 2s, postage 2,1. Sold everywhere. Kay Bros iStockpoi- ;>;21 COMPOUND OII'LINSEEO, Aniseed, Senegal, Squill, Tola, etc., witkChlorotfyutj. 9d, Is ld, 2a 9d,, of Chemi >ts, 213 I

The Khartoum Expedition I THE MONASSIR TRIBE. I [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM. 1 PARrs, Wednesday Afternoon.—The Tempi this evening publishes a despatch from Cairo, dated to-day, stating that the Mahdi has accepted Lord Wolseley's terms of peace, and that the English expeditionary force is now advancing upon Khartoum unopposed. ("TIMES" TELEGRAM.] I CAIRO, Wednesday.—Sir E. Wood has arrived at Korti, and General Grenfell at Dal. [" DAILY NEWS TELEGRAM.] HAJIDAB (via Merawi), Jan. 12.-Four com- J panies of the Black Watch arrived here on the lith. The Monassir tribe is reported to be still col- ected tt Birtib, under dervishes in the Nlahdi's uniform The natives about here are quiet. The Central News is enabled to state that in official circles nothing whatever is known of the rumoured acceptance by the Maildi of the peace proposals on the part of Lord Wolseley. A state- ment to this effect was published on Wednesday, by the Temps, in the form of a telegram from Cairo, but not the faintest confirmation of this sensational intelligence has reached the ministers in this country. Had any such arrangements been entered into between the Commander-in- ohief of the British forces in Egypt and the rebel leader, it is considered most unlikely in well- informed circles that Lord Wolseley would have failed to notify the government to that effect.

The French in China. I OCCUPATION OF TONQUIN 1 DECIDED UPON. ) Important Announcement by M. I Ferry. [REUTER'S TELEGRAM. I I PARIS, Wednesday.— In the Chamber of Deputies to-day, M. Raoul declared that the re- tirement of General Camperon from the Ministry was due to differences with his colleagues in the Cabinet regarding the policy to be pursued in the far East, and asked whether the Government intended to depart from the programme which they had laid down in the sitting of November 26th, and to extend their operations in those regions. M. Ferry, in reply, said the Chamber, by the vote of November 27th, dis- tinctly expressed its wish to retain the whole of Totiquin, and to exact the complete execution of the Tients.n treaty. The House had also expressed a desire for more energetic ..ction. The Government had, therefore, though it their duty to modify their plan of campaign. It could I not in fact act otherwise without ignoring the wishes of the Chamber and the country. The Govern- ment had, therefore resolved on the immediate I and complete occupation of Tonquin as the only t means of bringing the Chinese affair to a con- clusion. It had been found necessary to sen I out further reinforcements. On this point, hnv, ever, General Campenon bad thought it his du to discontinue co-operation with his colleagv The separation had been effected loyally cordially, and the late Minister never expressed any apprehensions a, the milita.ry situation. (Great appl se.) The new Minister of War and several .rl'uti<?s having addressed the chair, M. Ferry moved the order of the day pure and simple, which was adopted by 29t votes to 2M. The Chamber then adjourned till the 27th instant. MORNING POST" TELEGRAM.J I PARIS, Wednesday.—The country is embarking on a new and serious. phase of its conflict with China. The determination of General Lewel to strike a decisive blow, if need be, in V&mit important commercial centre of China does not appear to have shaken the resolution of thO Pekin Government to resist an attack. It was reported yesterday that Germany was con- templating some new colonial coup which would place Germany and France vis-a-vis in Chinese waters, as well as in other parts of the world.

ARABIPASHA. I ['* PAILY CHRONICLE" TELEGRAM.] I VIENNA, Wednesday.—it is reported that the I Khedive has received a letter from Arabi express- I iug contrition for his revolt, and asking permis- sion to return to Egypt. sion to return to Egypt.

THE SAMOA ISLANDS. £ DAILY TELEGRAPH TELEGRAM,] BERLIN, Wednesday.—The question "relating to the Sainov, Islands is definitely settled between England and Germany, the status quo being maintained.

LABOUR RIOTS IN INDIANA. ["TIMES" TELEGRAM.] -NEW YORK, Wednesdty.-Serious labour riots occurred yesterday at South Bend, Indiana, caused by some men on strike, chiefly Poles, taking possession of the i-nworics, aiid compJling the other workmen to quit. Several persons were wounded, but ultimately the troops quelled the affrav, and arrested the men on strike, who have been placed in gaol under a uard.

THE FENIAN OUTRAGE IN NEW YORK. ["TIMES" TELEGRAM.] NEW YORK, Wednesday. -Pli elan is believed to be recovering. Nothing new has transpired concerning his case, and the impression prevails that if his life be spared he will refuse to tell any- thing more, fearing that summitry vengeance may be taken on him. Rossa is so much alarmed that he declines to be interviewed on the subject. =-

GERMAN OFFICERS IN THE CHINESE ARMY. L" TIMES TELEGRAM. J r BERLIN, Wednesday.—According to a semi-offl- cial communique in the North German Gazette, the Imperial Government cannot hinder German officers from entering the service of China as instructors in the Celestial army, and it is ad. mitted that a considerable number of this irre- sponsible class have lately accepted the fltvourable conditions of the Chinese authorities. But at the same time a warning is issued that men in active service or in the reserve may not infringe the neutrality hitherto observed by Germany in the conflict between France and China.

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GERMANY AND WEST AFRIOA. [« JXOBNIN^ TELEGKAM.] BERLIN Wedne*—J-he German Govern- ment has offered'to establish a service of steamers between Lisbon and West Africa, as well as with other ports. for a sinall subsidy, thus supplanting the English companies, which receive a subsidy of 300,000 francs annually from the Portuguese Government